The Craig and Bentley Case Essay Example
The Craig and Bentley Case Essay Example

The Craig and Bentley Case Essay Example

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  • Pages: 5 (1353 words)
  • Published: August 7, 2017
  • Type: Case Study
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Your honour, members of the jury, and my learned friends, the accused in this case is a vulnerable and mentally disabled boy who was closely monitored by P.C Fairfax. It is inconceivable that he could have committed murder without a gun. The lack of scientific evidence in this case is concerning. Christopher Craig, a known collector of firearms, is clearly the culprit. He had a motive, which he expressed as the desire to avenge his brother's lengthy jail sentence.

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Despite Craig's poor performance in target shooting, it can't be denied that his frequent viewing of gangster films may have inspired him. While he did carry a gun and ample ammunition during the shooting, I argue that it was not a preme

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ditated act. Craig claims they intended to commit burglary that night, but I maintain that it was solely his own intention and not that of my client. Hence, I challenge the prosecution's suggestion of collaboration in this incident.

Bentley had no knowledge of the events of that evening and explained that he only took the 109 bus for a casual ride. According to my client, they walked to Reeves' Corner, crossed over, and returned. While passing a sweet shop, they glanced into its window, which could have been tempting to any young boy, thereby lessening Bentley's culpability.

Bentley had been bombed twice during a blitz, resulting in two head injuries which left him with below average intelligence and a mental capacity similar to that of a 9-year-old. The prosecution is making sweeping assumptions claiming that my

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client was Christopher Craig's accomplice. However, it was Craig who contacted Bentley on November 2nd at approximately 8:30 and gave him a small knife and knuckle-duster that he claimed to have made, and which were later found in Bentley's possession when he was arrested by P.

P.C. Fairfax was given the items by Bentley that were originally in possession of C. Fairfax.

According to the writer, Bentley's decision to carry these items indicates a teenage rebellion that stems from his desire to compensate for his intellectual deficiencies and be more closely associated with Craig, whom he admires. My client accepted these items as a "gift" from his hero and had no intention of committing any violent acts. He viewed the items in the same way a nine-year-old would view a present. The witness saw Craig jump over the iron fence of the warehouse first, followed by my client.

Bentley, whose cognitive abilities resemble those of a 9-year-old, contemplates briefly on what action to take, as his companion has already crossed the fence. As fate would have it, a vehicle approaches from around the bend on this dark evening, offering him protection under the guise of his idol. He waits for the vehicle to pass before leaping over the barrier and trailing Craig towards the rooftop.

This clearly demonstrates that my client, who was easily influenced, followed the lead of his highly respected hero, Christopher Craig. Craig was the one who guided them to the rooftop of the warehouse, with Bentley following behind. The alert to their presence was not from the sound of a police van approaching but from the flashlights illuminated by the officers. My

client remains quiet and obediently awaits Craig's command, who utters, "Coppers."

According to the account, Bentley relies on Craig to make decisions as evidenced by the client's immediate compliance with Craig's instruction to hide behind the lift shaft as they exclaim, ".. hide behind here".

It is my theory that due to their poor visibility and being situated on a flat roof, the individuals were never directly observed. P.C Fairfax claims to have found a lead on the whereabouts of the accused based on a footprint found on the window-sill. Following a 10-minute search, P.C Fairfax uncovered their hiding spot behind a stack, and was able to detain my client.

I acknowledge that my client allegedly uttered the words "Let him have it Chris" which supposedly provoked Craig to shoot. However, Craig denies hearing the statement, although it's evident that he's in denial. He's aware that Bentley is a vulnerable individual who can easily be swayed by others.

It's no surprise that ... is viewed as a hero and opted to bring Bentley along for a drive instead of his two other friends, Norman Parsley and Frank Fazey. The excursion was described as a simple, everyday outing.

Craig had a clear plan throughout the situation. The phrase "Let him have it Chris" holds significant importance and allows for interpretation. According to my client, it was a plea to surrender or give the gun to the police. This claim is supported by Bentley's lack of resistance towards P.C Fairfax despite having chances to escape.

To illustrate, Craig fired at Fairfax causing a shoulder injury, leading Fairfax to utilize Bentley as a barrier while moving to a secure area. As Fairfax

took cover behind the staircase head situated on a side of the roof, he assisted P.C McDonalds who was struggling to climb up the adjacent pipe. At that moment, Fairfax asserted that he released Bentley. Despite having the chance to flee and team up with Craig or even effortlessly push both police officers off the roof, my client chose not to do so.

Without a doubt, Bentley, a body builder, wouldn't have been able to fight Fairfax who was injured. It's worth mentioning their conversation at that time. When Fairfax informed McDonald about his injury, Bentley sympathetically responded, "I told the silly bugger not to use it." Therefore, it's unfair to say that the statement...

"Let him have it Chris" was perceived as a command to shoot, but upon careful examination of the evidence in this case, it becomes clear that what Bentley actually meant was "Let him have the gun Chris." Soon after this, more police arrived and approximately 6 guns were distributed to them.

After arriving at the crime scene, C Miles entered the warehouse via the obtained key and proceeded up the staircase leading to the roof. Tragically, as he stepped onto the roof, a bullet fatally struck him in the head just above his left eyebrow, exiting horizontally from the back. Meanwhile, Derek William Bentley was in the presence of two police officers. The question of whether Bentley was responsible for P.C Miles' murder was raised and during this time, when McDonald asked about the type of gun present, Bentley interjected with "He's got a [unknown]."

The presence of 45 Colt and ample ammunition indicates that the defendant was concerned about the police's safety and

willing to aid them. Upon Jaggs' appearance, Bentley warned him, "You want to look out. He'll blow your head off." While being apprehended by the authorities, Bentley experienced fear of Craig's potential actions and being fatally shot.

My client shouted to Chris, warning him that they were bringing him down as he hoped Craig would value his friend's life. However, Craig is not scared of death and isn't concerned about going to jail.

Craig, boldly identifying himself, declares that his brother has been given a 12-year sentence. He challenges the law enforcement officer, asserting that he, at only 16 years old, is unafraid of the consequences of his actions. At the same time, it is important to consider Craig's underlying motivations. Despite being faced with a .32 automatic and having no ammunition left, Craig's self-importance prompts him to attempt suicide and take out a police officer, though he ultimately fails.

In summary, Bentley, a boy with low intelligence, is easily influenced by his idol, Craig. It was Craig who committed the heinous act of intentionally shooting and killing P.C. Miles while also injuring another police officer.

After reviewing all the evidence, it is clear that Bentley is not guilty. I implore the jury to consider this and not unfairly judge an innocent person.

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